New Rule to Curb Emissions from Major Polluting Sources is an Important Step

In response to the recently finalized rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address emissions of some hazardous air pollutants when major pollution sources reclassify to minor sources, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“The American Lung Association is pleased to see this action to limit a loophole that allowed for more pollution in communities near polluting sources. While there is more work for EPA to do to fully protect communities, today’s final rule provides important protections following a 2020 rollback that allowed hazardous pollution sources to reclassify as smaller sources, avoiding some enforcement measures.

“We maintained then, and still do now, that once a source demonstrates it has the potential to emit dangerous levels of hazardous air pollution, it should continue to be treated as a major source. Essentially, once a major source, always a major source.

“While today’s rule is not a full repeal of the 2020 rollback, it is an important step forward. Families and communities living near major polluting sources, as does everyone else in this country, deserve to breathe clean air that won’t make them sick.”